Student combines love of community, love of football

TAMPA — Andrew Moss is a longshot to start at quarterback for Robinson High School this fall, but he's already made a major impact on the playing field.

Moss has more on his mind than winning football games — he is using his football skills to help the community. Moss raised more than $3,500 with his 7-on-7 football event two weeks ago that benefited The Children's Home. He decided to combine his love for football with his love for the Tampa Bay community.

The Children's Home, 10909 Memorial Highway, cares for struggling families and children seeking the comfort of a loving family. With roots that can be traced to 1892, it has been a beacon in the community. Moss wanted to help.

Moss has been putting on the event since 2010, when he started it as part of his bar mitzvah project, but it has grown since. There were nine teams at Skyway Park on July 26 and he was able to convince some NFL players to come along to sign autographs.

“I heard about the abused kids and the neglected people and wanted to give whatever I could,” Moss said. “I've wanted to help since I was a kid in sixth grade. It means a lot to me.”

The event went off without a hitch, even if finding officials was at first an issue. In the end, officials from the Florida West Coast Officials Association pitched in.

Moss said he's already starting to plan next year's event, even though he is busy checking out colleges. He toured most of the schools in North Carolina's famed Research Triangle, and has Wake Forest at the top of his list.

Moss said he might not be a big part of the Robinson offense this fall because he doesn't fit the Robinson offense, but he has bigger things on his agenda that still include football.

He wants to be involved in the business side of football after he graduates from college.

He won't have a problem getting into whatever college he wants. He has the grades.

He said he would like to be an agent or even an NFL general manager. It's a pretty lofty goal, since there are only 23 of those jobs available. But Moss is confident.

“I love sports and want to be a part of it,” Moss said. “I might not start, but I will be a part of the team at Robinson.”

If Moss leaves for college, he said he still plans to keep his 7-on-7 tournament running.

“I still want to give back,” Moss said. “The Tampa Bay community and the Children's Home mean a lot to me.”